{Red admiral} (Zo["o]l.), a beautifulbutterfly ({Vanessa
Atalanta}) common in both Europe and America.
The front
wings are crossed by a broad orange red band. The larva
feeds on nettles. Called also {Atalanta butterfly}, and
{nettle butterfly}.

{Red ant}. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) A very small ant ({Myrmica molesta}) which often infests
houses.
(b) A larger reddish ant ({Formica sanguinea}), native of
Europe and America. It is one of the slave-making
species.

{Red book}, a book containing the names of all the persons in
the service of the state. [Eng.]

{Red book of the Exchequer}, an ancient record in which are
registered the names of all that held lands per baroniam
in the time of Henry II. --Brande & C.

{Red brass}, an alloy containing eight parts of copper and
three of zinc.

{Red bug}. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) A very small mite which in Florida attacks man, and
produces great irritation by its bites.
(b) A red hemipterous insect of the genus {Pyrrhocoris},
especially the European species ({Pyrrhocoris apterus}),
which is bright scarlet and lives in clusters on tree
trunks.
(c) See {Cotton stainder}, under {Cotton}.

{Red cedar}. (Bot.) An evergreen North American tree
({Juniperus Virginiana}) having a fragrant red-colored
heartwood.
(b) A tree of India and Australia ({Cedrela Toona}) having
fragrant reddish wood; -- called also {toon tree} in
India.

{Red cross}. The cross of St. George, the national emblem of
the English.
(b) The Geneva cross. See {Geneva convention}, and {Geneva
cross}, under {Geneva}.

{Red currant}. (Bot.) See {Currant}.

{Red deer}. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) The common stag ({Cervus elaphus}), native of the forests
of the temperate parts of Europe and Asia. It is very
similar to the American elk, or wapiti.
(b) The Virginia deer. See {Deer}.

{Red fir} (Bot.), a coniferous tree ({Pseudotsuga Douglasii})
found from BritishColumbia to Texas, and highly valued
for its durable timber. The name is sometimes given to
other coniferous trees, as the Norway spruce and the
American {Abies magnifica} and {Abies nobilis}.

{Red fire}. (Pyrotech.) See {Blue fire}, under {Fire}.

{Red flag}. See under {Flag}.

{Red fox} (Zo["o]l.), the common American fox ({Vulpes
fulvus}), which is usually reddish in color.

{Red grouse} (Zo["o]l.), the Scotch grouse, or ptarmigan. See
under {Ptarmigan}.

{Red gum}, or {Red gum-tree} (Bot.), a name given to eight
Australian species of {Eucalyptus} ({Eucalyptus
amygdalina}, {resinifera}, etc.) which yield a reddish gum
resin. See {Eucalyptus}.

{Red hand} (Her.), a left hand appaum['e], fingers erect,
borne on an escutcheon, being the mark of a baronet of the
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland; -- called
also {Badge of Ulster}.

{Red herring}, the common herring dried and smoked.

{Red horse}. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) Any large American red fresh-water sucker, especially
{Moxostoma macrolepidotum} and allied species.
(b) See the Note under {Drumfish}.

{Red spider} (Zo["o]l.), a very small web-spinning mite
({Tetranychus telarius}) which infests, and often
destroys, plants of various kinds, especially those
cultivated in houses and conservatories. It feeds mostly
on the under side of the leaves, and causes them to turn
yellow and die. The adult insects are usually pale red.
Called also {red mite}.

{Red underwing} (Zo["o]l.), any species of noctuid moths
belonging to {Catacola} and allied genera. The numerous
species are mostly large and handsomely colored. The under
wings are commonly banded with bright red or orange.

{Red water}, a disease in cattle, so called from an
appearance like blood in the urine.
[1913 Webster]